News Bits: UK Army Uses Oculus Rift to Help Train Medics

The Oculus Rift is seemingly finding it’s way into numerous fields of application beyond gaming. We reported recently that Marketing in particular seem to have seized the Rift’s wow factor and unique presentation capability in their campaigns. Well, now it seems the UK Army see potential in Oculus’ VR headset too.

UK company Plextek with funding from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) has developed a simulation to help UK Army medics learn to deal with situations they may face on the battlefield. The system involves the trainee donning the Rift and whilst immersed in the simulation, the instructor sets up and monitors the events – sort of  like an enormously worthwhile Dungeon Master.

Plextek’s aim was to try and prepare soldiers for the reality of life under fire and by presenting different scenarios to the trainee, equip the soldier better.

Collette Johnson, medical business manager at Plextek Consulting, told the Daily Mail:

Our work with DSTL is enabling us to revolutionise the way medical treatment can be applied in the battlefield, while creating a multitude of opportunities for advanced health training applications across a breadth of industries,’

The innovative technology used in immersive reality solutions enables such a real-life perception that the education and response level of the trainee can be greatly heightened.
Any negative psychological effects could also be improved, by preparing the trainees better with a more accurate vision of what they could experience during military conflict.

Armed forces adopting consumer VR equipment seems to have been a theme of late. The Norwegian Army revealed recently that they’re testing a system to enhance their tank driver’s visibility in situations where all hatches are sealed. Using the Rift saves the army a pretty penny too, some $100k.